Every Yogi wants the best for their body and with out a doubt both Massage and Yoga compliment each other.

Some students will get a deep tissue massage before a class and find the added benefits of being more open as the massage increases blood supply to the muscles and allows the fascia (outside layer of the muscles) to increase in length enabling the student to get into  postures  with a deeper hold which not only looks good:) but increases the stretch proprioceptors in the tight overused muscles of the body. Massage also contributes to balancing the body especially those office worker’s tight hips creating a much better alignment for their practice.

Massage after yoga has just as many benefits as the therapist’s work will help decrease the storage of lactic acid in the body allowing a quicker recovery of the muscles and with the use of Myofascial Techniques will help the stretch reflex coil memory of the muscles to stay at their increased length which is what yoga is all about.

If I had the option I would go with a massage after a class as it allows me to relax, become in tuned with my body and feel what needs to be worked on. A great reward especially after a 1.5hr Vinyasa Class.

The post Is it best to get a Massage before or after Yoga? appeared first on Bodyalignment.

Time spent standing did more to push fat into muscle cells than vigorous daily exercise. This is significant because pushing nutrients into muscle cells promotes muscle growth. If you have trouble gaining muscle, maybe the problem is too much sitting, and what you need is not more intense workouts, but more frequent standing!

If only we could stand more at work like your massage therapist :)

The post Which is Better, Sitting or Standing? appeared first on Bodyalignment.

There is a real connection between physical injuries and misaligned posture which emphasis the importance of finding a massage therapist that can find the imbalance and than release the specific muscles.

A body with joints that are misaligned due to muscle imbalances produces injuries.  A body with joints that are truly aligned do not produce injuries.  Misaligned joint positions due to muscle imbalances are totally fixable.  …..  Joints should maintain right angles but can still function for limited periods if they aren’t.  There is a price to pay for joints out of position, wear and tear, inflammation, breakdown of joint capsules, bone spurs, cartilage degradation, torn ligaments, tendons, shredded menisci, etc.

Proper Posture :
• Keeps bones and joints in the correct alignment so that muscles are being used properly
• Helps decrease the abnormal wearing of joint surfaces that could result in arthritis
• Decreases the stress on the ligaments holding the joints of the spine together
• Prevents the spine from becoming fixed in abnormal positions
• Prevents fatigue because muscles are being used more efficiently, allowing the body to use less energy
• Prevents strain or overuse problems
• Prevents backache and muscular pain
• Contributes to a good appearance

The post The importance of Bodyalignment… appeared first on Bodyalignment.

While the study was only able to generate hypotheses about dietary nutrients that may be associated with short and long sleep durations, it did yield some interesting data. Participants were grouped into four sleep groups:

• Very short (less than 5 hours a night)
• Short (5-6 hours)
• Normal (7-8 hours)
• Long (9 or more hours)
Here are some of the dietary characteristics uncovered about each sleep group:

• Very short sleepers: Had the least food variety, drank less water and consumed fewer total carbohydrates and lycopene (an antioxidant found in fruits and vegetables).
• Short sleepers: Consumed the most calories but ate less vitamin C and selenium, and drank less water. Short sleepers tended to eat more lutein and zeaxanthin than other groups.
• Normal sleepers: Had the most food variety in their diet, which is generally associated with a healthier way of eating.
• Long sleepers: Consumed the least calories as well as less theobromine (found in chocolate and tea), choline and total carbs. Long sleepers tended to drink more alcohol.

The post Do People Who Sleep Less Eat Differently Than Those Who Sleep More? appeared first on Bodyalignment.

Oils that are considered healthy and can withstand heat

Coconut oil:

Red palm oil (not to be confused with palm kernel oil):

Avocado oil:

Almond oil:

Healthy Oils for Low-to-Medium Heat Cooking

Extra-virgin olive oil:

Walnut oil:

Sesame seed oil:

Peanut oil:

Healthy Oils That Aren’t So Great for Cooking

Grapeseed oil:

Evening primrose:

Flaxseed oil:

Hemp oil:

Hazelnut oil:

Oils that May Have Negative Health Effects

Soybean oil:

Sunflower oil:

Safflower oil:

Canola oil:

Cottonseed oil:

Corn oil:

The post What are the best Oils to cook with…… appeared first on Bodyalignment.

The majority of my clients that come in for a massage in Byron continually ask “What is the best way to sleep”?
Here is the simple answer!

No1: On your Back.
Is by far the best as it places your body in a neutral spine position preventing any shortening of muscles, however it is also the No1 position for those snorers.

No2: On your side.
The next best position, brings your body back to the womb, however it does creat more forward flexion like sitting at a desk.

No3: On your stomach.
Yes, for all those people now you know why your neck and hips are constantly sore!

The secret is to to break your sleeping patterns, believe me it is possible after a few sleepless nights.

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There is a real connection between physical injuries and misaligned posture.
Running doesn’t produce injuries.
A body with joints that are misaligned due to muscle imbalances produces injuries.  A body with joints that are truly aligned do not produce injuries.  Misaligned joint positions due to muscle imbalances are totally fixable.  …..  Joints should maintain right angles but can still function for limited periods if they aren’t.  There is a price to pay for joints out of position, wear and tear, inflammation, breakdown of joint capsules, bone spurs, cartilage degradation, torn ligaments, tendons, shredded menisci, etc.
If you have flat feet, bow legged/knock knees or your hips are out there is a very high chance that you will eventually pick up a  injury down the track, especially relating to knees.
Make sure the next time you get a massage you get properly assesed.

The post Is running bad for you?? appeared first on Bodyalignment.

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We spend as much as  80% of our working day sedentary and unsurprisingly a similar percentage of Australians experience back pain

Being sedentary is also putting the ‘sit’ in obesity, as our fat burning furnaces essentially switch off when we’re stationary for extended periods. Some research even suggests that it leads to the dreaded middle age spread by the mechanical pressure sitting puts on our fat cells.

Hopefully my clients don’t smoke at work?

The post Sitting is the new smoking appeared first on Bodyalignment.

Kombucha tea is a fermented drink made with tea, sugar, bacteria and yeast. Although it’s sometimes referred to as kombucha mushroom tea, kombucha is not a mushroom it’s a colony of bacteria and yeast. Kombucha tea is made by adding the colony to sugar and tea, and allowing the mix to ferment.

It is now back from the 90’s when it was used to fight the Aids virus. It was believed that the high acid content would eat away at any potential harmful bacteria, helping kill off the virus (we now realise how strong and independent the virus is).

The Elixir is now used for many health reasons:

-Fighting harmful bacteria

-Improving Liver, Gallbladder and digestive function

-Enhance the body’s normal toxin elimination process

-Creating a healthy gut to fight chronic conditions in the body

Try it one day it tastes like nothing you have ever had before!

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